Thomas Prince

Thomas Prince (May 15, 1687 – August 22, 1758) was a New England clergyman, scholar and historian noted for his historical text A Chronological History of New England, in the Form of Annals. Called 'an American pioneer in scientific historical writing', Prince influenced historians such as Jeremy Belknap and Thomas Hutchinson, and his Annals was still being used as a reference text as late as 1791. Despite the lack of interest in the text Prince continued to work as a second volume, releasing it in three parts going up to 1633, each costing sixpence. Due to lack of further interest in the text this format was discontinued. Prince's work is noted for its accuracy, with Prince saying that “I cite my vouchers to every passage, and I have done my utmost, first to find out the truth, and then to relate it in the clearest order. I have laboured after accuracy; and yet I dare not say that I am without mistake; nor do I desire the reader to conceal any he may possibly find.” Prince's primary critic was Thomas Fleet a printer and newspaper publisher who emerged on the scene as Prince's nemesis during the public debates over religious revivalism.

Legacy

As well as the obvious collection of books, Thomas Prince also left an intellectual legacy. Dr. Charles Chauncy, a frequent ideological opponent of Prince, said after his death that "He possessed all the intellectual powers in a degree far beyond what is common. He may be justly characterized as one of our great men ... [and] deserves to be remembered with honour." His reliance on primary sources and meticulous checks of factual accuracy also makes his Annals a key historical work, one which is still in print today.

The town of Princeton, Massachusetts was named after Prince due to his high standing within the local community and his ownership of part of the land used to form the town, which was given to him in 1727 as part of the will of Cyprian Stevens; the Thomas Prince School, a school within the town, is also named after him. A printing company named after him (the Prince Association) was also formed in 1858.

The Thomas Prince Collection, belonging to Old South Church and deposited at the Boston Public Library includes, in addition to Thomas Prince's personal library, a copy of the 1640 Bay Psalm Book as well as John Eliot’s Indian Bible of 1663), and a collection of Prince's personal correspondence.

The Prince Society (est.1858), described in "The Cambridge History of English and American Literature" as "one of the most honoured of American historical organizations" is also named after him.

Works

The Massachuset Psalter - 1709 with Experience Mayhew An Account of a Strange Appearance in the Heavens - 1717 Account of the English Ministers at Martha's Vineyard - 1727 Earthquakes the Works of God, & Tokens of His Just Displeasure - 1727 A Sermon on the Death of Cotton Mather - 1728 Memoirs - 1731 The Vade Mecum for America: or, A Companion for Trades and Travellers (travel guide) - 1731 Chronological History of New England, in the Form of Annals. Boston: Printed by Kneeland & Green for Samuel Gerrish, 1736 A Thanksgiving Sermon occasioned by the Capture of Louisburg - 1745 Earthquakes of New England - 1751 The New England Psalm-Book, Revised and Improved - 1758